After wrapping up her deepest work ever at ENI’s Devil’s Tower Southwest project in the Gulf of Mexico, and another subsequent pipelay project in the same region, Helix ESG’s Express pipelay vessel arrived early this month in the Mediterranean Sea for work offshore Israel.

The Express is conducting SURF (Subsea Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines) work for Texas-based Noble Energy in the Noa natural gas field offshore Israel, in approximately 2,556ft of water (779m).

Image: HELIX, click for larger

With transit speeds up to 12 knots, the 520 foot-long Express is designed to efficiently reach any ocean in the world. Her two reels hold 3,000 tons of pipeline up to 14in in diameter.

Taken on board Helix ESG’s pipelay vessel, Express, these photos show two Pipeline End Terminal manifolds (PLETS) as they are hoisted off an adjacent supply boat and lowered down to the seabed. All images courtesy HELIX.

First End PLET Lifted and Lowered

A PLET is used on one, or both ends of pipelines to provide connection point from the pipeline to existing subsea structures in place. The existing structure may be a subsea tree, another PLET or a manifold and are connected by a jumper. The PLETs and other subsea structures have upward looking connectors while the jumpers have downward looking connectors. This configuration allows the jumpers to be installed using Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Image: HelixHelix Subsea Construction, a business unit of Helix ESG, is installing this PLET as part of the overall scope of Subsea Umbilical, Riser and Flowline (SURF) work for Noble Energy at the Noa Field, offshore Israel. The field is in approximately 2,556ft of water (779m) and is being developed for natural gas.